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"Speaking of which, this Gym is quite impressive."
"This Gym should be the most luxurious in the whole of Johto, right? Being able to construct such a Gym in such a short time must have been tough for the engineers and the Pokémon."
Both Cynthia and Misty voiced their complaints, this Gym really doesn't leave much room for anything but ridicule!
The group arrived at the entrance of the Gym, where two guards in orange and black uniforms stood on either side.
These two clearly recognized Clair and Lance, and when they saw the group approaching, they quickly stood at attention and saluted.
"Gym Leader Clair, Mr. Lance, Miss Cynthia."
"Esteemed guests, are you here for a challenge?"
The head guard asked respectfully, his gaze falling on Ash, who was leading the group.
"I'm the challenger." Ash stepped forward and displayed his badge case. "I've now collected five badges and a proof from the Battle Pyramid, so I should qualify to challenge Gym Leader Raihan, right?"
Unlike other Gym Leaders, to challenge Raihan, one needs at least six badges.
Given Raihan's skill and status, he naturally can't accept just any challenger and can't act as a rookie's sparring partner.
There's quite a rationale behind setting this rule.
The guard glanced at the neatly arranged five badges and the proof from the Battle Pyramid in the badge case, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Six badges, one of which is the Rising Dragon Badge.
This means the young lad beat Blackthorn Gym and then immediately came to challenge Hammerlocke Gym.
In addition, there's the proof from the Battle Pyramid, which is officially recognized by the League as counting for two badges, meaning Ash essentially has collected seven badges.
"Please wait, I will inform Gym Leader Raihan right away."
The guard took out a walkie-talkie, gave a brief report, and soon received a response.
"Gym Leader Raihan invites you all in."
"He says... he's got nothing better to do and would be thrilled to have a challenge."
Upon hearing this, Clair snorted on the side: "That remark's just asking for a punch."
Lance shrugged: "That's Raihan's style."
"If he weren't cocky, it'd be concerning."
Led by the guard, the group walked through the Gym's corridor towards the battle arena inside.
The interior of Hammerlocke Gym is quite modern, setting a stark contrast with the castle-style exterior of the building.
The walls are polished metal panels, the flooring is covered with dark red carpets, and specimen displays and models of various Dragon Type Pokémon fill the cabinets on either side.
The corridor is adorned with large posters, all featuring the same person without exception.
A young man with an orange headscarf and a slightly darker complexion in various poses, all selfies.
"This Gym Leader Raihan really loves... uh, himself." Brock hesitated a bit, avoiding the direct term 'narcissistic.'
"Raihan is famously fond of selfies, and on the Galar social media platforms, his fans probably rank in the top ten," Clair explained helplessly.
"Speaking of which, he's quite the public figure, but... his battling style and his appearance, the contrast is pretty stark."
"Contrast?"
"You'll understand soon enough."
After passing through the long corridor, everyone arrived at the core area of the Gym.
The battle arena is more spacious than Blackthorn Gym, shaped like a standard oval.
The center of the arena is covered with rough sand, surrounded by metal-framed stands, above which is a full glass dome that can be opened fully, currently sliding open to reveal the bright blue sky outside.
Sunlight poured through the open dome, illuminating the entire arena brightly.
On the other side of the arena, a tall figure stood with his back to the group, one hand on his hip, the other holding up a new model smartphone and taking selfies.
The man was at least six feet three inches tall, with healthy tan skin, dark curly hair tied up with an orange scarf, wearing an orange and black sports jacket printed with an exaggerated dragon pattern.
He turned around slowly after hearing the footsteps.
"Yo, welcome, welcome, welcome to Hammerlocke Gym."
That face wore a bright smile, revealing shiny white teeth, making the whole person look unbelievably sunny.
"You're Ash from Pallet Town, right? I've heard all about you."
"The Kanto's superstar, the trainer most likely to challenge Leon of this new era."
While speaking, Raihan wiggled the phone in his hand, quickly snapping a picture of Ash and his companions.
"Hehe, a memento, a memento."
"After I beat you, this photo will be prime material."
"Wait, what's 'prime material' supposed to mean?" Clair couldn't help but complain: "Is that something a Gym Leader should say?"
Using a defeated challenger as material for his social media photos, it's quite disrespectful behavior towards the challenger.
But Raihan laughed heartily and addressed Clair without a care: "Gym Leader Clair, you're here too? Oh right, I heard this young man has already obtained your Rising Dragon Badge, huh? Watch me avenge you."
Clair: ...
Seriously, 'I heard,' this should have been told to Raihan by the guard using the walkie-talkie once they entered, about the types of Gym badges Ash has!
Just keep laughing! As much as you can! You won't be laughing soon enough!
After mocking Clair, Raihan's gaze turned back to Ash.
The color of those eyes changed dramatically in an instant.
Previously full of laughter and a relaxed demeanor, now they held a sharp and cold intensity.
It was the look only a true hunter would have when locking onto their prey.
"Ash, let's skip the chatter, do you dare to have a real man's battle?"
Ash exchanged a glance with Pikachu: "Uh... What do you mean by a real man's battle?"
"Six-on-six, it's a battle that best tests a Trainer's personal strength and command skills, and it's a true examination of the Trainer's Pokemon pool."
"You can choose a three-on-three if you want, after all, you've been traveling for less than a year, it's unlikely you can bring out six Pokemon capable of handling the current battle intensity."
Six-on-six…
Clair glanced at Ash, thinking it was unlikely he would accept such a demand.
Because among the six Pokemon Ash had, two of them were virtually impossible to handle the current battle intensity.
Though Clair didn't know what Ash's remaining two were, even if they could reach Champion-level battle strength, it would still be four against six.
For Ash, this is somewhat of a tall order.
Unexpectedly, Ash thought for just a second before nodding quickly: "I'd love to!"
Clair: ???
"Ash! Don't forget you…"
"It's alright, Clair, I can definitely bring out six Pokemon for the battle, don't worry."
Ash gave Clair a thumbs up, indicating there was no need to worry too much.
Although he originally planned for a three-on-three, since Raihan wanted a six-on-six, then a six-on-six it would be!
It was a great chance to let the Pokemon who hadn't battled in a while show their faces!
Hopefully by then Raihan wouldn't be too shocked to see them.
"Straightforward, I like it."
In a moment, the two were standing on their respective Trainer fields, Raihan took out the first Pokeball from his waist, which was adorned with a meticulously personalized dragon-pattern sticker.
The referee standing at the judge's booth timely spoke: "The battle rule is six-on-six, Gym Leader cannot switch Pokemon, challenger can switch freely, the first to lose six Pokemon declares defeat, Gym Leader releases Pokemon first."
He raised the Pokeball and tossed it to the center of the field.
"Come out, Gigalith!"
A flash of light, and a gigantic rock Pokemon covered with red crystal pillars appeared on the field.
The massive body landed, and the heavy footsteps caused the ground to tremble slightly, the red crystal pillars glistening coldly in the sunlight.
"Rumble—"
Gigalith let out a low roar, its eyes slowly opened, revealing a beast-like ferocity.
Champion Junior Level.
Just a Vanguard Pokemon, yet already at Champion Junior Level strength, if this is indeed Raihan's weakest Pokemon, then it means… Raihan has an entire team of genuine Champion-level Pokemon!
Moreover…
Ash's eyes slightly narrowed, with Gigalith's appearance, the air in the battle field began to heat up.
The wind was growing at an uncanny rate, grains of sand started being picked up from the central layer of the field, forming a storm in the air.
Raihan displayed a bright smile: "A little welcome gift for you—Sandstorm!"
As he finished speaking, Gigalith suddenly thrashed its head, the massive body vibrating heavily.
In the next second, the entire field's sand seemed to awaken, violently swirling towards the sky, turning into a sandstorm that obscured the sun!
The entire battle field was shrouded in rolling yellow sand, the tumultuous winds crashed against the established barrier, emitting a tooth-grinding shriek.
Gigalith's Ability, Sand Stream.
The whole field was covered by the sandstorm, during which Rock Type's Special Defense greatly increased, non-Rock, Ground, and Steel Type Pokemon suffer sandstorm damage periodically.
In addition… visibility is strongly disrupted.
First battle's opponent is a tough one.
"Brother Lance, what is that Gigalith's strength..."
"Champion Junior Level, Raihan has no intention to hold back, if I'm correct, Ash will have to contend with… a full team of Champion-level Pokemon in this battle."
Clair: !!!
A whole team?! Are you kidding! Ash is only fifteen!
No matter how exceptional he is, there's no way he can gather a full team of Champion-level Pokemon!
Not to mention Ash has two known Gym and Professional Level Pokemon, how can he fight?
On the field, Ash looked at the whirling sandstorm, his thoughts were not on how to deal with it but rather…
"Isn't Raihan the Dragon Type specialist? Why is there Rock Type in his team? This Gigalith doesn't have any Dragon Type either!"
This one line made the smile vanish from Raihan's face completely!
Know what to say! Know what to say!
Gigalith... although it isn't a Dragon, err… this… it fits the field I built!
Ultimately, Raihan didn't have the face to say that.
Given that he presents himself as leading the Dragon Gym, facing a challenger in the first battle with non-Dragon Pokemon is rather embarrassing.
Raihan could only respond with silence.
Clair couldn't help but cover his mouth to stifle laughter.
That retort managed to repay Raihan for his earlier mocking remarks, good job Ash!
Clair's laughter wasn't even over when Raihan's face was already dark enough to wring out ink.
"Ahem, enough with the banter, show your Pokemon!"
Raihan hurriedly shifted the topic to avoid further embarrassment.
Ash shrugged, retrieving a Pokeball from his waist.
"Well, since Raihan insists, I won't hold back."
"Let's go, Lucario!"
A flash of light, and a blue-black Pokemon with a spiked tuft on its chest landed steadily on the field.
Aura Pokemon, Lucario.
Also one of Ash's six main force Pokemon, originally Lucario wasn't counted in this battle's three positions.
But since it became six-on-six, Lucario naturally had a chance to step in.
Raihan squinted, perceiving the opponent's aura.
Elite Peak.
Steel Type, naturally immune to sandstorm, solidly Elite Peak.
Raihan's face unexpectedly showed a touch of smile.
"Kid, this Lucario is not bad, for a Trainer of your age, it's already quite a fighting level."
"However…"
He pointed at the big fellow on the field.
"Just Elite Peak isn't enough. My Gigalith is a bona fide Champion Level, your eyes can definitely see that, right?"
Clair in the audience nodded accordingly.
Raihan's words weren't boastful, the difference in level is evident.
Though Lucario's Steel Type nullifies sandstorm damage advantage, and Rock Types are countered by Steel Types, level is still level.
The gap between Elite and Champion is not easily bridged.
But… it also depends on who is bringing out the Elite Level Pokemon.
For most people, Elite likely cannot handle Champion, but this person is Ash, that's a different story.
This guy can face Gym Peak with Professional Junior, and handle Elite Advanced with Gym Intermediate.
Even though the gap from Elite Peak to Champion Junior is larger than those two, Clair felt that Ash should have a way to deal with it.
Sure enough, Ash on the field already raised his gloved hand with the Key Stone, radiant light dancing across it.
"Lucario, MEGA Evolution!"
The Key Stone erupted in dazzling rainbow light, and the tuft on Lucario's chest also radiated the same brilliant glow.
Two beams intertwined in mid-air, enveloping Lucario's whole body within.
As the light dissipated, a newly transformed Lucario appeared before the crowd.
Its body became more slender, the spikes on its chest extended outward, the ear stripes behind its head flared like flames, and its red eyes burned with battle fervor several times fiercer than before.
MEGA Lucario, Level—Champion Junior Level!!